Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne is not a serious health threat but, it can cause scars.

Source: NIAMS

Adult acne is when acne occurs in people twenty years of age and above. It can be brought on by any number of things however one of the most common causes is as a reaction to stress medication. Many people mistakenly say that stress causes acne because people with high-stress levels can often break out in spots.

However, the reaction is usually to the medication that they are placed on rather than to the stress itself. Doctors are not sure exactly what about the medication causes acne to break out but usually prescribe additional medication to cure the acne.

Adult women are often known to suffer from an attack of acne when they stop using oral contraceptives. Stopping the use of The Pill causes hormonal changes in the body. Hormones and the condition of the skin seem to be very closely related. The clogged pores that cause acne to appear are affected by what is happening in the body hormonally. Under normal conditions, the ovaries produce both estrogen and testosterone. Testosterone is a male hormone. Although it is normal that it is present in the female body, estrogen should always be in higher concentrations than testosterone. When it is not, problems arise.

Research shows that hormones strongly affect the way that the skin looks and behaves. To put it simply, the balance between androgen and estrogen is fine. When one of these hormones is out of balance in a woman’s body, the effects are seen in the skin. This is the reason that many women see acne appear and re-appear with their menstrual cycle. Hormone therapy is one solution to hormone-induced acne. It works on reducing androgens and preventing them from stimulating the sebaceous gland into producing the large amounts of oil that feed the acne bacteria below the surface of the skin. This treatment can be very effectiveThere are many effective treatments for acne. The more you know about them, the better.

As you can see, acne is not always related to proper washing and hygiene, nor is it related to a bad diet. Researchers have found that hormones affect the skin and the development of acne. This is a medical condition and therefore should be treated by a trained doctor or dermatologist. There are many over the counter drugs and treatments, only attempt to use these after consulting a medical professional.

One of the most common misconceptions about acne is that it’s caused by dirt. It’s not! Acne is caused by a combination of factors you can’t control, like your hormone balance and the natural pace of your skin’s renewal system. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can control that may help you keep your acne in check. Begin by following these simple suggestions for healthy-skin hygiene.

Acne Prevention – Tip #1: Don’t over-wash. Since dirt is not causing your acne, excessive scrubbing and washing won’t make it go away. Try to limit yourself to two washings per day — anything more than that can leave your healthy skin dry, and your acne-prone areas irritated. Habitual over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production, which could result in more breakouts.

Acne Prevention – Tip #2: Skip harsh scrubs. It’s okay to exfoliate, but be sure to use a gentle formula with small, smooth grains. Avoid products with almond or apricot shell fragments; they can irritate or even tear your skin and further aggravate your acne.

Acne Prevention – Tip #3: Say no to alcohol. If you use a toner, avoid products with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common rubbing alcohol. A strong astringent, alcohol strips the top layer of your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. The result? Dry, red skin — and possibly more blemishes.

Acne Prevention – Tip #4: Don’t squeeze or pick. Squeezing or picking your blemishes — with fingernails, pins or anything else — can force bacteria deeper into the skin, causing greater inflammation and infection. You’ll also increase the damage to the surrounding skin, so the blemish is more likely to leave a permanent acne scar.

Acne Prevention – Tip #5: Hands off! Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes breakouts) is a normal resident of your skin; it doesn’t lead to acne until it gets trapped inside the hair follicle. Excessive touching of your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria into your pores — where it can begin its dirtywork.

Acne Prevention – Tip #6: Work out, wash off. When you exercise, your movement generates heat; clothing and equipment cause friction. Until you shower off, heat and moisture are trapped against your skin, creating an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria. So whenever you can, shower off immediately after exercising.

Acne Prevention Treatment – Find a regimen and stick with it. Most cases of mild acne can be improved with “over-the-counter” products, or products that don’t require a prescription from your doctor. There is a wide range of treatments available, and there’s a good chance one of them will work for you. If you start treatment before your acne gets severe, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding physical and emotional problems down the road. But if your acne gets worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see a dermatologist. Here’s a quick listing of the most common products used to treat acne — click on the links that interest you for more information on that course of acne treatment.

For more information visit: Acnezine.com

Of course, you’ve got to remember that it’s not always possible to avoid, especially because it’s a regular thing people do. As such, you must remember to wash your face regularly with things that have been clinically proven to work for your purposes. The use of some acne-marketed products may prove significantly helpful.

Also, some food allergies may worsen your acne. If you know you are allergic to some food item, avoid it, and if you suspect you are, do some research, keep a food diary, and find out for yourself. This will help with your overall health, also. If your acne is unusually severe, it’s advisable to contact your physician.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the four basic mechanisms contributing to acne are hormones, increased sebum production, changes inside hair follicles, and bacteria. Acne usually occurs at age 11 to 14 when the body starts producing male hormones called androgens. Androgens can over-stimulate sebaceous glands and make them produce more sebum.

Dead cells inside hair follicles normally are shed and come out onto the surface of the skin. But in people with acne, the cells are shed faster, stick together, mix with sebum, and clog the follicle. Then bacteria contaminate the skin cell and sebum mixture and grow. When the body’s immune system tries to destroy the bacteria, inflammation results.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration